why choose us

300×250 Ad Slot

Research Article: Validating a framework to guide the implementation of high-quality virtual primary care: an international eDelphi study protocol

Date Published: 2023-12-01

Abstract:
Background There is an urgent need to support primary care organisations in implementing safe and high-quality virtual consultations. We have previously performed qualitative research to capture the views of 1600 primary care physicians across 20 countries on the main benefits and challenges of using virtual consultations. Subsequently, a prototype of a framework to guide the implementation of high-quality virtual primary care was developed. Aim To explore general practitioners’ perspectives on the appropriateness and relevance of each component of the framework’s prototype, to further refine it and optimise its practical use in primary care facilities. Methods and analysis Participants will be primary care physicians with active experience providing virtual care, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. This study will use a systematic and iterative online Delphi research approach (eDelphi), with a minimum of three rounds. A pre-round will be used to circulate items for initial feedback and adjustment. In subsequent rounds, participants will be asked to rate the relevance of the framework’s components. Consensus will be defined as >70% of participants agreeing/strongly agreeing or disagreeing/strongly disagreeing with a component. Data will be collected using structured online questionnaires. The primary outcome of the study will be a list of the essential components to be incorporated in the final version of the framework. Ethics and dissemination The study has received ethical approval conceded by the Imperial College London Science, Engineering and Technology Research Ethics Committee (SETREC) (reference no .6559176/2023). Anonymous results will be made available to the public, academic organisations and policymakers.

Introduction:
The primary care landscape has undergone an intense transformation since early 2020, further hastened by advancements in digital technologies expedited by the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 2 Specifically, virtual consultations ( ie, remote synchronous consultations performed using telephone or online conferencing software) emerged as an innovative approach to patient–provider interaction, with the potential to transform care delivery by improving effectiveness and timeliness of care. 3 As part of the emergency response…

Read more

300×250 Ad Slot